Making Tracks: Brit Tracking School In Borneo

[Nathan]

I have a bit more appreciation (intellectually at least) for this Michael Yon post about the applicability of tracking since I recently finished reading The SAS Guide To Tracking.

Even though our stakes in airsoft are decided by mere ballistic plastic I believe that tracking and observation should be an important part of the game. Engage not only the brain but the entire being when out in the woods patrolling for the "bad guys". Tap into the spirit of the wild. (To take a phrase from Uncle Teddy.) After all, that's what we're trying to emulate.

[goose]

I've had some training in tracking and other native american skills. I've used the skills in the past quite effectively and think that this type of training really opens you up to "feeling" the woods around ya. It's a pretty cool skill to have and if you put time into it, it can get real interesting. I know at first it might be a hard thing to do during an airsoft game but if you work at it and put in some dirt time, you'll be able to do it without getting close to the ground and do it while moving quickly. That alot of time into it though.

There are so many levels of tracking that it's insane but attainable. Some people say that you can tell if the person has any type of illness or disease too just by their gate. It's a cool thing when you can look at a track and tell what type of mood someone is in or what type of physical shape they are in.

If you like the woods, getting into tracking is pretty fun and it's a useful skill in Airsoft or if you wanna get to see some animals ;) lol

BTW, I learned stuff from the realm of Tom Brown Jr. A local instructor here in C'ville taught me. He has workshops and the like occasionally. Learned some earth living skills, medicinal and edible plants, tracking and Apache scouting skills (the latter what fun stuff!) You can get Tom Brown Jr's field manuals and learn on your own too but it was/is nice to have someone with the know how to talk to .